Old Lady Reynolds’ comment was a pointed hint for Vanessa, telling her to let go of her obsession.

Vanessa got the message. Her face slightly changed, and she clenched her fist at her side before sheepishly saying, “Grandmother is right.”

Prof. Fitzroy, sharp-minded as always, understood what was going on. She tugged on Vanessa’s wrist and said, “Vanessa, come with me to the restroom.”

Mrs. Reynolds stood up and interjected, “Prof. Fitzroy, I’ll show you the way. Let the young ones chat here, please follow me.”

Prof. Fitzroy had intended to take Vanessa aside to reprimand her for bringing up old issues that troubled the Reynolds family but had no choice now but to follow Mrs. Reynolds out of the living room.

Evelyn was adept at playing both ends against the middle. After testing the waters, she realized that the Reynolds family was protective of Phoebe. It seemed to her that if Vanessa wanted to win Theodore back, she’d have to start by working on him.

After a brief silence, Evelyn said with a beaming smile, “I’m sorry. Vanessa has inherited my straightforwardness. She means no harm; she just speaks whatever comes to mind.”

“Miss Fitzroy is almost thirty, yet still so thoughtless in her speech. As a public figure, she might attract serious trouble someday,” said another.

Vanessa ground her teeth in anger and retorted, ‘Why doesn’t Miss Ziegler tell us what kind of big trouble I could possibly stir up?’ She thought to herself but remained silent. Phoebe simply smiled without responding. She peeled a pecan and handed it to Old Lady Reynolds, saying, “Grandma, these pecans are delicious. Try some.”

Old Lady Reynolds, who loved nuts, had thick hair even at the age of eighty, with not much white showing. “Good, you eat some too,” she said, taking a pecan from Phoebe and finding it quite tasty. She then invited Vanessa and the rest to join in eating.

Internally cursing, Vanessa kept a cheerful facade and suggested, “Grandma, since you have some free time now, why don’t we have Aunt Evelyn take your measurements?”

Old Lady Reynolds nodded with a smile, “Sure, let’s do it here. I don’t want to trouble Evelyn too much.”

Her tone made it seem like Evelyn was just a tailor coming to measure her for clothes.

Evelyn’s mouth twitched, but not wanting to offend Old Lady Reynolds, she reluctantly pulled out her measuring tape and started taking measurements.

Vanessa recorded the data, occasionally casting glances at Phoebe, who was left to the side. She deliberately made humorous remarks that kept Old Lady Reynolds laughing non-stop.

By evening, all the Reynolds family members had returned home.

The servants set the table, and everyone walked into the dining room.

Phoebe sat next to Theodore, with Vanessa on her other side.

Once everyone was seated, Vanessa surreptitiously studied Theodore’s parents.

That was her purpose for visiting today. She needed to confirm that Mrs. Reynolds was completely unaware of Brandon’s affair.

Her plans could only succeed if Mrs. Reynolds knew nothing.

Sitting next to Vanessa, Phoebe noticed her staring intently at Theodore’s parents and felt an inexplicable unease.

Why was Vanessa watching them so closely? Did she know something?

“Let’s eat,” said Old Lady Reynolds.

At the dinner table, Vanessa saw Brandon considerately serving dishes to Mrs. Reynolds, sharing a smile as if nothing untoward existed between them.

She became more and more certain in her heart that Mrs. Reynolds had no inkling of Brandon’s affair. This was like a shot of adrenaline for Vanessa, pumping excitement through her veins. She turned her head slightly to glance at Phoebe as a strange curve formed at the corner of her mouth.

‘Phoebe, you just wait. I’m going to make you kneel and return what you’ve taken from me!’

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